The Hartvane Chronicles

by Josh Closs

Book I: The Outcast and the Chosen One

Sneak Peek: The First Two Chapters

Prologue

The Past

The waves surged around them.The temple's walls, unmoved for centuries, seemed to hum with

displeasure.

"This is a terrible risk."It is."For you, especially."Me?My part is simple.It'll be over in a year."We both know that's not true. If it works, you will become…"I know.But your job is so much harder.And lacks the glory of mine."I'll miss you every day."You know I feel the same.And you know this is the only way."Yes. You're right."On both counts."

Chapter 1

Today

Rising out from the Abyss of the ocean depths below, a smalltown built by merfolk sat atop a pillar of rock with a layer of loamysoil on top. That town was Shadecoral, one of the last remainingtowns of the Deepdivers, its highest point about two hundredmeters below the water's surface above.

Many merfolk had abandoned such towns and moved towardsthe continents to trade and live more easily with the landwalkerswho lived there — the elves, the dwarves, the humans, and thebirdkin, along with all of the beautiful combinations therein.

Many, but not all.The Deepdivers, as Mayor Ekolo would often remind the

townsfolk of Shadecoral during his weekly addresses, were "notamong that rabble." While the Deepdivers would occasionally send

a caravan to deal with the dwarves on their continent many days'journey away to the south, most Shadecoralers were not permittedto so much as lay a fin over the edge of Shadecoral or poke a fingerabove the water's surface without express consent from theDeepdivers' High Council, lest they risk o�ending the merfolkengods and exiling themselves from the community.

This particular morning, two of the town's residents werekeeping clear of such o�enses in the town's oldest building, itstemple to the Merfolken gods.

Melodika Hartvane sighed as she watched her sister. "Pleasehurry, Monie," she said. "We were supposed to meet them tenminutes ago."

"Hold on!" Harmonia said, her hands clasped in front of her asshe swished her tail to stay upright in the water, the sound of itpulsing through the lofty sanctuary. The two sisters were the onlyones in the temple's public section at this hour of the morning, and,based on past attendance records, might be the only visitors whowould enter all day. If others did stop by, they would almostcertainly pass by the row of smaller shrines on their way toPythmena's altar to o�er their tributes and prayers.

Not Harmonia, though."Thank you, Fish Goddess," she said, bowing deeply twice

before moving on. Her voice carried e�ortlessly through the water,bouncing o� the high ceilings and filling the temple with itspleasant timbre. "Thank you, Sun God. Thank you, Moons God. Ihope you two patch things up some day."

Melodika couldn't help but smile. Like always, Harmonia maynot have been focused, but she was devoted.

"Thank you, Kelp Goddess, for letting Papa's fields grow,"Harmonia said, leaving a wrapped parcel on this altar. "And thankyou, Tide God, for not sweeping away Papa's fields."

With that, Harmonia let out a long sigh, a surge of bubblesemerging from her mouth as she did. "Right. All done, Mel."

Melodika cocked an eyebrow. "Aren't you forgetting one?"Harmonia cocked her head to the side, a puzzled look on her

face. "…No? I went down the line, and…"Before Harmonia could finish her thought, a figure in full

clerical garb entered the sanctuary from the back of the temple. "Iknow Pythmena is not as ignored as your friends along the wallthere, Harmonia, but that is no reason to neglect her altar."

Harmonia's ruby-red eyes grew huge as she realized hermistake. "Oh! Right! Sorry, High Cleric Coronith! Uhh, sorry,Pythmena!" she said, thrashing her tail to swim up to the altar ando�er her prayers. "Thank you, Pythmena, Goddess of the Abyss,"she said, her eyes now reverentially shut. "We thank you for yourmany gifts as you keep watch over the seas below us. May youcontinue to favor Shadecoral and all of us Deepdivers."

"Very good," Coronith said, placing a hand on Harmonia'sshoulder. "If you have been as diligent in your studies as you havebeen with your worship, then this should be a most favorable visit."

Harmonia opened her eyes and turned to face Coronith, doingher best to keep eye contact with them. "Ah ha ha, well, about that,Coronith…"

Coronith smiled, turning to Harmonia's more responsiblesister. "Melodika? Has she been studying?"

"She can still swing a sword better than anyone else in thetown," Melodika said. "Plus, she's probably read The PeatlandPrincess another half-dozen times in the past month, along withwhatever other story-like books she can manage to find thatslipped through Mayor Ekolo's gaze and made it into the library. Ifthat's the whole test, then she'll pass with full jets."

Harmonia pursed her lips as she glared at Melodika. "Well,some of us don't work in the library with Father," she said.

"You're the one who chose to go tend the fields with Papa,"Melodika said.

"As if you'd last a week doing farm work!" Harmonia said.

"Oh, you want to lift boxes of books outside of the water,huh?" Melodika said. "And besides, it's not like I even have time toread while I'm at work."

"Aw, come on, sis, that's a fresh, stinking load of fishshi—"Harmonia said before a firm, familiar hand clasped itself over hermouth.

"Not in the temple, Harmonia," Coronith said, smiling."...Right," Harmonia said, blushing as Coronith lowered their

hand, the pumping blood of embarrassment just showing throughher bronze scales. "Sorry again, Pythmena. And sorry to you, too,Mel. I know you work hard. I'm worked up today, and I took it outon you. Do you forgive me?"

"Of course I forgive you, Monie," Melodika said. "...And yeah, Ido occasionally sneak a few minutes to read. I'm sorry, too."

"Good to see that you two have retained the most importantlessons over the past twenty-four years, at least," Coronith said."Come along, then. I'm sure you have better ways to spend asummer morning than taking your yearly tests with me."

"We don't mind spending time with you, Coronith," Melodikasaid, clasping her hands behind her back.

"Especially since it gets us out of the weekly address,"Harmonia said, grinning.

"Well, I am glad to hear that," Coronith said, a weary smile ontheir lips. "But I—"

Before Coronith could finish their thought, a rush of merfolkcame pouring in through the main entrance to the temple, allmurmuring in tones ranging from excitement to terror.

"Well, good morning, everyone," Coronith said, turning toface them. "What is the cause of all this to-do?"

"High Cleric Coronith," one of the mid-ranking acolytes said,his face flushed with excitement, "the Crimson Smoke has beenspotted in the skies above the southern continent!"

Melodika and Harmonia shared glances at this news beforeturning to watch Coronith react. "You are certain?" Coronith said,keeping their composure as they turned to the altar, running afinger along a set of runes which glowed at their touch. As they did,the temple began to glow with a vibrant blue light and the water inthe upper chambers began to drain away with an audible, thoughnot overwhelming, whooshing sound. "We have had false alarms inthe past, after all. Without authorization to leave the water andverify, we must..."

"I received permission to surface, and have seen it myself,"the acolyte said, beaming. "The fated hour is at hand!"

"And so you must begin your testing of the candidates at once,Coronith," a new voice said, entering the temple through the frontdoor. Everyone hushed at the sound of it.

Everyone except for the one person who was willing to standup to its owner.

"Mayor Ekolo," Coronith said, putting on the smile they worefor him in an e�ort to keep things civil. "So good to see you back inthe temple. How long has it been, I wonder?"

The mayor gave Coronith a politician's smile, glancing to oneof his many lackeys, who returned his smile. "I hope that you andthe gods will forgive my absence, High Cleric Coronith, though it'salways a pleasure," he said, smoothing out his vest as heapproached. "The town council will be restless for news. I must askyou to begin your testing post-haste!"

"Certainly," Coronith said, turning to Melodika andHarmonia. "We were just about to begin, and the upper chambersshould be dry by now. Are you two ready?"

"Of course," Melodika said, giving a small bow."Yep," Harmonia said, also o�ering something bow-like."Then I must ask that we have the temple's upper cloister to

ourselves, undisturbed for as long as the testing takes," Coronithsaid. "Mister Mayor? May I have your assistance in that regard?"

"I will make an announcement that you have begun," MayorEkolo said, smiling and smoothing down his hair, kept unnaturallysti� in the water. Then, turning to Melodika, "Good luck, younglady. Soon, Shadecoral will be back on the map, and it will be thanksto you!"

Melodika stared for a moment. "Mister Mayor, Harmonia willbe taking the tests as well," she said.

Mayor Ekolo forced a smile. "Of course. Harmonia? I hopeyou're having a good time out working on the kelp farms. It wouldseem to suit you more than this sort of thing, but who knows,hmm? Good luck, young… Well, whatever term you're using thesedays."

The words landed on Harmonia like a stack of Melodika'sbooks.

Mayor Ekolo had a long trail of being shitty. That part wasn'tsurprising. But him being so brazen about it? And today, of all days?

Harmonia needed a moment to find her words after hearingthe mayor of her town say that on this, perhaps the most importantday of her life.

Coronith, for their part, did not."The phrase you're looking for is 'Good luck, young lady,'

Mister Mayor, just as has been for decades now," they said,thrashing their tail and creating a flurry of bubbles. "It is notdi�cult. And I know you know it, as you just used it with her sister.

"The laws of the town are your jurisdiction, but in this temple,we must honor and respect each other's genders or lack thereof, asthe gods would have us.

"If you cannot do so, leave."Mayor Ekolo forced a smile. "Whatever you say," he said,

turning to depart. Then, over his shoulder, he added, "Oh, and lest Iforget: Good luck to you too, Coronith. I don't know what thecouncil will do if your chosen champion of the temple should fail,let alone what the gods might have in store for you."

Coronith glared at the Mayor as he swam away with hisentourage, muttering to themself. "You floating, stinking,miserable pile of fishshi—"

Harmonia's hand flew up and covered Coronith's mouth."...Sorry. Reflex," she said, lowering her hand.

Coronith laughed. "I am sorry, Harmonia. On many accounts.""You don't have a thing to be sorry for, Coronith," Harmonia

said. "Just to check, though — none of these gods are bigoted likeMayor Ekolo, are they? Because if so, then I want to rescind some ofmy worship."

"The gods are fickle and mysterious, Harmonia," Coronithsaid. "But I am sure that they are neutral at worst on the matter,and that some of them are quite pleased to accept you as you are."

"Like the kelp goddess?" Harmonia said."Ah, yes, the kelp goddess certainly does," Coronith said,

smiling as they looked over to her altar. "That is why the fields youand your Papa tend are so bounteous. Her love is manifested byproviding us all with nourishment in our stomachs and oxygen inour lungs."

"Cool!" Harmonia said."Well, if we're ready, then. Kryn?" Coronith beckoned a

mid-ranking acolyte over. "Please inform any visitors that I willnot have the test results until tomorrow morning."

"As you say, High Cleric," Kryn said."Tomorrow morning?" Melodika said. "Since when does the

test take that long?""The test will be no longer than usual, Melodika," Coronith

said. "But I must make certain that the results are correct. As themayor said, we would not want to make a mistake, now would we? Iam hesitant to agree with him, but every now and then…"

Melodika nodded. "Right. Yes, that makes sense, Coronith.""Okay!" Harmonia said. "Let's do this testing thing!"

Halfway across the ocean, in the southern reaches of theeastern continent, the capital city of the Elven Empire was buzzingwith the usual industry of a summer morning. Palmroot was a cityof both literal and figurative growth, with new buildings replacingdeteriorating ones almost every day around the colossal palm treethat served as the city's cornerstone and the Imperial Palace'scentral feature, reaching hundreds of meters above the tallestbuildings. The noises of a vibrant, excited populace were runningthroughout the city.

Throughout most of the city, that is.In the Imperial Palace, within the Queen's private

bedchamber, well-appointed with the Empire's finest artworks,there was a heavy silence hanging over the room as those presentdigested the news.

Not an unhappy silence, but certainly an uneasy one.There were the Queen's three children, each reacting to what

they had just heard their mother say.Prince Kellroy, the eldest child with flowing green hair and

slender features, paced up and down the longest available stretch ofcarpet, occasionally pausing to glance at his mother.

Princess Lurekah, secondborn of the Queen, hermeticulously-brushed blue hair perfectly framing her face, had

taken a seat next to her mother on the bed and wrapped an armaround her shoulders, sharing in her joy.

And then there was Princess Prudence.Princess Prudence, who, up until a few moments ago, assumed

that she was to remain the youngest heir to the Elven Empire.And, as is customary in the elven tradition, next in line to the

throne.For the moment, at least."You are certain, Mother?" Kellroy said, stopping his pacing

for a moment to ask."I have consulted with my most trusted physicians and sages

over this past month, and I can feel it within my spirit." QueenAgathys said. She was emanating an aura of joy, tempered withconcern for her children's reactions to this news. "I am pregnant.We are beyond the most dangerous stages, and the physiciansreport that all is well thus far."

"And that is wonderful news," Lurekah said, smiling. Then,pointedly, "Is it not, Kellroy?"

"Oh, please don't take my pacing the wrong way, sister,"Kellroy said, glancing down at his feet. "I am delighted to learn thatI will have a new sibling. Or siblings! I am, however, concernedabout what the public reception of this news will be."

"Forget the public reception!" Lurekah said. "Let us enjoy thismoment of unexpected happiness!"

"No, Kellroy is correct," Queen Agathys said. "We mustconsider all of the ramifications of this event. Both the positive andthe negative. It a�ects some of you more than the rest, after all."

Prudence could feel her mother's eyes gazing at her."Prudence," the Queen said, her voice tender and patient. "I knowthis disturbs you. After all, this is not part of your plan. It was notpart of anyone's plan, I suppose, but least of all yours."

"I am not disturbed, Mother," Prudence said, forcing herselfto look up at the queen. "What do you need from me?"

"I need you to do as your siblings have done," the Queen said."With a new youngest heir on the way…"

"I am no longer first in line to the throne, yes," Prudence said."Which means I must learn a trade." She felt the eyes of one of herancestors staring out at her from their portrait on the wall.

Queen Agathys extended her arms to Prudence. "DearestPrudence. Will you give your mother a hug?"

"Of course," Prudence said, rising and crossing the grandbedroom to embrace her Queen and mother. "And I am sorry if Iseem unhappy. I am simply…"

"Surprised?" the Queen said, brushing a stray lock of herdaughter's leaf-green hair from her eyes. "Believe me, so was I.Though likely not as surprised as you three were."

"May I ask who the… other party is?" Kellroy said."Other party…? Ah," the Queen said. "An old friend. I knew

him centuries ago, before his family was falsely accused of variousmisdeeds and removed from the Imperial Council. I always meantto see what had become of him, but the looming duties of the crownweighed heavily on my head and, simply put, I forgot. Not my mostnotable failure as a queen, nor the worst, but certainly not one ofmy proudest moments.

"So when he stopped by last year bearing no ill will towardsme despite leaving him to fend for himself, and still bearing all ofthe charms he had in his youth and then some… Well, let it su�ceto say that I was quite taken."

"Would we know him?" Prudence said."Doubtful," the Queen said after a moment's consideration.

"At the moment, he is just reputable enough to be seen in thepalace, but no more. Now that things have become more serious, heis meeting with my most trusted council members to verify thatthere is nothing scandalous in his past."

"And if there is?" Kellroy said.

"Oh, you wouldn't throw him out for something like that,would you?" Lurekah said.

"Not unless he has done something truly terrible, in whichcase I would want him removed anyway," The Queen said. "But ifwe can find these things now rather than later, then we would beable to properly rectify those sorts of things before the wedding."

"So there is to be a wedding, then," Prudence said."Of course," the Queen said. "In a year or two, most likely;

these things take time to plan. But we love each other mostsincerely, so why would there not be a wedding?"

"Not to mention it would be bad optics to have an unwedqueen pregnant for five years, in some eyes," Kellroy said. "I stillcan't believe that humans only have to deal with it for nine months.Can you imagine how easy that would be?"

"I hear humans have a more tiring experience than ourpeople's," the Queen said. "After all, I should be able to continuecarrying out my tasks up until the birth with no di�culties,according to my physicians. No fears there."

Prudence bit the inside of her cheek. "And what shall I do?"she said.

"I have already made arrangements for you," the Queen said."You shall travel to Shaleburgh, capital of the Dwarven Union, andtry your hand at a number of crafts. From diplomacy to smithing,you should find something there to suit your fancy. If nothing else,whatever that business with the red smoke that appeared over theirlands this morning will surely keep you busy! But if you findyourself ill-suited for that land, then there are many other optionsavailable to you."

Prudence sighed. "I… I do not know if I am ready for such athing, though."

"I was only fifty when I set out, sister," Kellroy said. "Andlook at me now!"

"But you had known you were not destined for the thronesince you were thirty," Prudence said. "Your situation wasdi�erent. Here I am, sixty years old — too young to be takenseriously despite being a full-grown adult, and too old to start freshin time for my hundredth birthday."

Queen Agathys squeezed Prudence close to her. "You will befine," she said. "No, that is insu�cient. You will be more than fine.You will be brilliant."

"You think so?" Prudence said."Of course," Queen Agathys said, rising to her feet. "But, in

case anything goes wrong, I want you to have this." The Queenopened the drawer of one of her nightstands and pulled out a small,square box with a simple silver latch on the front. "Here," she said,handing it to Prudence.

"What is it?" Prudence said."Open it," Queen Agathys said.Prudence undid the latch and opened the box to reveal an

emerald amulet, strung on a silken thread. She gasped as she saw it."It is beautiful," she said. "Thank you, mother."

The Queen smiled. "It is more than beautiful," she said. "Doyou see what is written on the back?"

Prudence lifted the amulet from the box and studied the back,inlaid with intricately-carved runes almost too small to be seenwith the naked eye and beyond the princess's comprehension. "Soit is enchanted… Tell me, what spell does it hold?" she said.

"Two spells, in fact. One to keep you safe from physical harm,and one to bring you home immediately if things turn for theworse," the Queen said. "Elmsap can tell you the details."

"Supposing he's not too busy spoiling you," Lurekah said,laughing.

"Elmsap does not spoil me," Prudence said. "He simply haslearned not to be as impatient as he was in your time with him. Thatis no fault of mine."

"If you say so," Lurekah said."I wore this necklace myself several times, and your siblings

took it for a time as well," Queen Agathys said. "My mother gave itto me when I thought I would have to pursue a trade; before…"

Lurekah watched as her mother blinked away the tears wellingin her eyes. "We needn't speak of such things now," she said,smiling. "Now should be a time of celebration."

"I wish it could be so, Lurekah," the Queen said, "butPrudence must begin preparing immediately for her journey."

"Um. What?" Prudence said."You will, of course, need a Royal Navy vessel for your

voyage," the Queen said. "With the Imperial Grand Anniversarycoming up in two weeks, they will soon be out of commission foralmost a month for the festivities, and you must begin yourtraining post-haste."

Prudence felt her heart sink in her chest. "I am to miss thefestivities?"

"I missed the first thirty years of festivities after I started mytraining, sister," Lurekah said, trying to be encouraging. "It washard at first, but you will meet so many interesting people andexperience so many unique things… By the Eldertree's Roots,Prudence, I am jealous of you!"

"Then why don't you do it instead," Prudence muttered underher breath.

The words chilled the already frosty attitude of the room.Queen Agathys did not want to use a stern hand here, but she waswilling to do so if needed. "Prudence. You are a princess of theElven Empire. That means that you will take this responsibilityseriously. For the sake of this Empire, this family, and evenyourself, you must. Do I make myself clear?"

Prudence sighed. "Yes, mother. I apologize. I…""You are afraid," Kellroy said, crossing to Prudence and

placing a steadying hand on her shoulder. "Which is

understandable; I was terrified my first time out as well. Butremember this, Prudence: You are a royal princess. You are strong.You are brave. You are charming. And you can face any challengethat may face you, no matter how insurmountable it seems.Understood?"

"Of course," Prudence said, smiling. "Thank you, Kellroy.Mother, may I be excused to my chambers?"

"You are excused," Queen Agathys said."Thank you, Mother," Prudence said, gazing down at the

amulet. Maybe she could come up with a story of—"Prudence," Queen Agathys said."Yes, Mother?" Prudence said, turning to face her."That amulet is for emergencies only. And Shaleburgh is a

temperate place filled with exciting opportunities."If you were to try to find a way to force your way back here

early, I could instead ask you to, say, catalog the Royal Archives forthe next thirty years. With Mr. Drupe. And his sons. Do I makemyself clear?"

"…Yes, Mother," Prudence said, lowering her head andturning once again to walk away.

Well, there went one plan. On to the next one.

Chapter 2

"By the gods, that was the hardest I've ever thought in mylife!" Harmonia said as she and her sister swam home. It wasseveral hours later, and the few rays of sunlight that made it downto Shadecoral were beginning to fade. Thankfully, merfolken eyeswere well-suited to the dark, so even the middle of the night wouldhave been easily navigable without a light source. The town wasquieter than normal for this time of day, but the sisters were toopreoccupied to notice.

"What did you say was the moral of The Tale of the GoodFisherman?" Melodika said, rubbing her temples as she swam.

"That being 'good' is better than being good at something,"Harmonia said.

Melodika considered this. "That's great," she said.

"What did you say?" Harmonia said."To take friends where you can find them, even if they're not

who you expect," Melodika said."I think yours is more of a moral," Harmonia said."I think yours is more true," Melodika said."Fishshit, I fucked it up, didn't I?" Harmonia said. "Ahh, gods,

I wish I could go with you, Mel!"Melodika smiled. "Maybe I didn't pass," she said."Ha!" Harmonia said. "Mel, you know more about more

things than most people know about one thing.""Hmm… I'm not sure that math quite adds up, but I appreciate

the sentiment, Monie," Melodika said. "I just wish that Father andPapa could be home waiting for us."

"We shouldn't have to wait long," Harmonia said as theirhome came into view on the other side of a patch of oceanic flora."Papa should only have an hour left in the fields, and Father mightclose the library early tonight."

"I hope so," Melodika said."So, are you ready to head out tomorrow?" Melodika said.Harmonia snorted, shooting bubbles into the water in front of

her. "Mel, I'm telling you. There's maybe a tiny chance that I'mgoing to go with you, but I seriously doubt it. I just hope you enjoyyourself!"

Melodika looked away. "I… I don't know if I want to go if Idon't get to go with you," she said.

"Are you kidding!?" Harmonia said. "You're gonna go be ahero, like in the storybooks in the library! You'll save us fromdisaster, or fight an epic villain, or rescue a member of some royalfamily, marry them, and perhaps even smooch them!"

Melodika bit her lip and laughed. "So you think I'm gonna gorescue a beautiful dwarf or something?" she said.

"The beautifulest!" Harmonia said, her arms wide as if toexpress the beautifulestness of this dwarf.

"Maybe," Melodika said. "It'd be nice. But it'd be even nicer ifI could share the experience with you. Er, not the romance part,mind you, but, you know. The rest."

"Right, of course. But first, we need to get you packed!"Harmonia said as they arrived back at their home, an unassumingtwo-level home positioned almost exactly halfway between thelibrary and the fields. The comforts of home only shook Harmoniaout of autopilot when she tried her key in the door.

" Hmm?""What is it?" Melodika said."It's already unlocked," Harmonia said, turning the handle.

"Shit, did I forget to—""Surprise!" A pair of voices called out as the door opened,

revealing a shimmering array of lights that made the Hartvanes'familiar home look like the most exciting place in Shadecoral(which, to be fair, was a low bar to clear). The two voices belongedto a pair of mermen, beaming at their daughters as they came in,who were completely caught o�-guard by this redecoration.

"What!?" Harmonia said, looking around. "How! When?Why??"

"We heard about the Crimson Smoke and pulled some stringsto come home immediately," their Father said. "We don't knowhow many of you will be taking that journey, but we want both ofyou to have a wonderful night tonight in any case."

"Did you invite the right people?" Melodika said, nervous asshe looked around.

"We didn't invite anyone," her Papa said. "We wanted to leavethat up to you."

"Thank the gods," Melodika said, sighing. "I didn't want thisto be another performance."

Their Father frowned. "Did Mayor Ekolo give you trouble onthe way home?" he asked. "You know I'd never invite him."

"Earlier, before our tests," Harmonia said. "And anyoneoutside of this family, other than Coronith, is liable to be more loyalto the mayor than they are to us with the Crimson Smoke in the air,so anyone else feels like the mayor."

"I'm glad we nailed the guest list, then, since Coronith will bebusy all night with your tests," Papa said. "Come on, go getchanged and then come upstairs. We have a feast waiting for you."

"Don't oversell it, dear," Father said, running a finger alongthe wall to calm the flickering lights, changing the environmentfrom festive to navigable.

"It's a feast, I say!" Papa said. "All of your favorites! ...Well, allof your Merfolken favorites. Couldn't get anything Dwarven on thisshort a notice."

Harmonia sighed. "I wish I had picked up even a little bit ofyour cooking skills, Papa," she said.

"Ohh, what use does a world-saving champion have forcooking skills?" Papa said, grinning, his bass voice rumbling thewater around him. ("Bass" as in low, not like the fish. Merfolkenvoices have a di�erent timbre than landwalkers', but are not toodi�erent otherwise.)

"We'll be sure to teach you once you get back from youradventure," Father said. "For now, Papa has assembled a wonderfuldinner, and I've been smelling it most of the day, which means I'mquite ravenous. And it's been quite nice having him by my side inthe kitchen, too," he added, smiling at his husband.

"I'm sure it will be wonderful," Melodika said. "Come on,Harmonia, let's go."

"Right behind you!" Harmonia said, heading to their sharedroom first to change.

No matter how everything else might change, Harmonia knewthat her parents would be embarrassingly romantic with eachother. What more could anyone ask for?

Princess Prudence enjoyed order. For things to be where sheexpected them to be, when she expected them to be there. Shewasn't the type of noblewoman to throw a fit if a spoon was half ahairbreadth out of place, but she liked to have things follow a nice,logical progression. Chaos and dissonance made her quite cross, asone look at her chambers would tell, her curtains meticulouslycreased into symmetry and not a single wrinkle in sight on hersilken bedsheets.

On most days, at least, she detested chaos.But today?This chaos?With the crew of one ship of the Elven Navy scrambling to

shift provisions from their holds to another as quickly as theycould, as she watched from the balcony of her royal chambers?

This chaos was quite palatable."Lady Prudence?" a voice landed on Prudence's ear like a

familiar song from a cherished music box. "Why are theytransferring the goods for our voyage from Captain Larks's shipover to Captain Xandell's?"

Prudence smiled as she looked over at her oldest and perhapsdearest friend, her trusted assistant Elmsap. He had raised theQueen herself when she was younger, and had diligently continuedhis service to raise Prudence.

Now, she supposed, he would help raise her new youngestsibling.

"Lady Prudence?" he said again."Apologies, Elmsap," Prudence said, her eyelids fluttering as

she broke from her reverie. "They are transferring the goodsbecause they found rot in the timbers of Captain Larks's ship.Unsafe in its current state. So, instead, Captain Xandell will betaking us."

Elmsap frowned. "And you are… pleased about this?" he said."Yes, of course," Prudence said, smirking. "Why would I not

be pleased about sailing under dear Captain Xandell's care?"Elmsap's frown lingered. "Something is not quite right here,"

he said. "And I am too old to not figure it out, but it will take sometime. Will you tell me, or must I spend the next few hours puzzlingit over?"

"Oh, I will leave it to you to work out," Prudence said. "Itshould be a pleasant diversion."

"A diversion, at least," Elmsap said, shaking his head as heturned to walk away. "I must finish packing your things. Is thereanything you wish to take from the common areas? A favorite pieceof art, perhaps, to remind you of home?"

"No," Prudence said. "In fact, make doubly sure that anythingirreplaceable stays here."

Elmsap stopped and faced Prudence again. "I am afraid that isimpossible," he said.

"Why is that?" Prudence said."Because I have been charged to take you along," he said,

smiling. "The entire point of the thing. I thought it was obvious,honestly."

Prudence smirked. "You know, Elmsap, you're a realcharmer," she said.

"I thought that was the problem with the young lady yourmother hired when she thought I had grown too long in the tooth afew years back."

"Oh, no," Prudence said. "The problem there is that I'm a realcharmer. I mean, yes, she was cute, but if you're looking for theinstigator in that flirtation, well. Look no further."

Elmsap laughed. "Very good, Prudence. Will there be anythingelse?"

Prudence looked him over for a moment before closing the gapbetween them and embracing him in a tight hug. "You're the onlyone who just calls me 'Prudence,' you know?" she said. "No matterhow much I ask everyone else to drop the 'Princess' part whenwe're not being so formal. And I…"

"Yes, Prudence?" Elmsap said after Prudence trailed o�mid-sentence.

Prudence shook her head. "Nothing," she said, taking twosteps back. "Oh, one thing, actually," she said, reaching into thecollar of her blouse and pulling out the amulet. "The Queen told methat you could tell me about it."

"Ah," Elmsap said, his eyes gleaming as he saw the familiarnecklace. "That amulet contains two magnificent spells etched onthe back. The first will keep you safe from all harm; none will beable to act in any way that might bring you pain. Physically, at least.You shall feel no pain so long as you wear it."

"Glad to hear it," Prudence said. "And the second?""A teleportation spell," Elmsap said. "Throw the amulet to the

ground, and you and everyone else around — within, say, two orthree meters — will be brought back here to Palmroot, safe andsound. And in case you should happen to bring back someadversaries by mistake, you will be placed directly in the RoyalGatehouse, with the Elite Guard ready to aid you at once.

"Both spells, like with any enchantment made on somethingto be given to the royal family, were carefully examined by the most

studious scribes to make sure the oaths therein were old and deepwhen they were inscribed. You should fear no danger so long as youhave that amulet around your neck, Prudence."

Prudence ran a finger along the amulet's smooth jeweled face."...Well, if it cannot make me sandberry pancakes when the visitingchef has gotten too experimental, then it is a rather poorreplacement for you."

Elmsap laughed. "I am certain that you will make do.""I hope so," Prudence said. "Thank you, Elmsap.""Of course," Elmsap said, giving a small bow. "If I may have

your leave, then I will finish up the packing.""My leave and my blessing," Prudence said."Thank you, Prudence," Elmsap said before departing.Prudence sighed as she turned back to the book she had on her

lectern. "'Service Records,'" she read aloud to herself. "'CaptainLarks: After two hundred years of transporting the royal family,there is none so distinguished for her excellence as Captain Larks.Her record speaks for itself.' And, let's see… 'Captain Xandell:Apologies to whoever reads these pages next; Captain Xandell'srecord is so fraught with disaster that any attempts at accuratecataloguing is hopeless. May the shade of the branches give yourelief in your endeavor.'

"Right. So. This might just work out after all."

Harmonia pondered if the remaining cake on her plate wasworth the stomachache it would bring. She had already gorgedherself on the nearly-countless courses of raw and cooked fish,seaweed soup, spiced kelp salad, and all of the other parts of thefeast her parents had cooked up for her and her sister. She placed ahand on her distended belly and let out a luxurious sigh.

"Well. If you're not going to eat it, then I will," Melodika said,eyeing Harmonia's plate.

Harmonia quickly stabbed the last morsel of cake with her forkand shoved it in her mouth, its spongy texture melting against hertongue as she chewed. "Not a chance," she said, her wordssneaking through a stu�ed gob.

Melodika laughed. "Fair enough," she said, looking aroundthe upper home of the Hartvane home.

Like most of the buildings in Shadecoral, the lower level of theHartvane's home, where they slept, talked, and kept all of theirwater-fit belongings, was filled with water while the upper levelwas kept dry by a combination of dwarven technology andmerfolken magic. It was here they did their cooking, as well ashousing their private library and storing anything that would bedestroyed or diminished by staying in the water. The low hum anddim glow from the runes and wards along the doors and windows

was a pleasant background noise in many merfolken homes'"landwalker part."

"You two are full, yes?" Father Hartvane said."Oh, most certainly," Melodika said, rising from her seat as

she balanced on her tail, a posture just as comfortable for her asstanding is for most landwalkers after years of practice. Whilemerfolk were more comfortable in the water, sliding across theground didn't give them too much trouble, but it was tiring. "Here,I'll take your plates, everyone," she said, sliding along the groundin a serpentine manner.

"Oh no you don't," Papa Hartvane said. "We're doing thedishes tonight."

"Please, I need something to clear my mind," Melodika said,still holding out her hand. "I thought far too hard today."

Papa Hartvane let out an exaggerated groan. "Well, fine, if youinsist, then I suppose that you can clean up," he said, handing overhis plate and utensils.

"Thank you for this most benevolent honor," Melodika said,mirroring his tone as she collected both of her parents' things."Monie? You done?"

"Yes, thanks," Harmonia said, handing them o� to her sisterbefore leaning back and unbuttoning the bottom button on hervest, taking in a heaving breath of air and letting it out with acontented sigh. "Hoo, that was delicious! I hope you'll eat half thatwell on the road, Mel."

Harmonia watched as her parents shared an uneasy glance."Or, uh, both of us, maybe!" she said. "But if I don't get picked,then I hope Melodika eats that well."

"Of course," Father Hartvane said. "And if you don't getpicked, then—"

"Ah, fishshit!" Melodika said, her exclamation punctuated bythe sound of water hissing out of the sink. "…Sorry. The drain'sbusted again."

"Time for me to get to work, then," Harmonia said, risingfrom her seat.

"Are you sure, Monie?" Papa Hartvane said. "I might be ableto fix it."

"It's a drain, not a field to plow, Papa," Harmonia said,slither-waddling as she made her way to the portal leading down tothe lower level, one hand on her distended belly. "Oof, mystomach… Y'know, it's the outtake valve, I bet. It's been finicky thepast few days. I've been trying to give it a quick fix, but looks like itneeds a full rebuild. Shouldn't take more than half an hour."

"Half an hour?" Father Hartvane said. "On your celebratorynight?"

"It'd take five minutes for a patch job, but I want to make sureI get it right," Harmonia said as she dipped her tail into the lowerlevel's water. "After all, I don't want it breaking with just the two ofyou fuddy-duddies here to fix it."

Before anyone could get in another word, Harmonia loweredherself out of sight to fix the problem.

Papa Hartvane and Father Hartvane shared glances."...'Fuddy-duddies'?" Father Hartvane said.

"Hey, she didn't learn that one from me," Papa Hartvane said.Melodika, despite her best intentions, couldn't hold back her

laughter."Oh, you think you can just laugh at your poor old dads too,

then?" Papa Hartvane said, putting on a false air of outrage."Absolutely," Melodika said between laughs. "I can't imagine

growing up in a house where I couldn't.""And we're glad you don't have to," Father Hartvane said,

wrapping an arm around her shoulder and pulling her close. "Isthere anything else you need, Mel? Any vests you need scrubbed? Afresh top or two for the trip?"

"...I could use a new backpack," she said. "The one I have isthreatening to leak."

"Well, that won't do," Papa Hartvane said, his eyes almostdisappearing behind his cheeks as he smiled. "C'mon, then, let's gosee if anyone's still willing to sell us such a thing, dear."

"After you," Father Hartvane said, turning from Melodika andmaking a grand gesture towards the portal.

"You're so sweet," Papa Hartvane said, planting a kiss on hishusband's cheek.

"Fuddy-duddies!" Melodika said, smirking as she watched herparents head out of sight with a pair of splashes into the water.

Leaving her alone.With the quiet of the kitchen.With her thoughts.About how she would soon learn if she had been chosen.If the last twenty-four years of preparation, from her birth

until now, had been worth it.And, for that matter, if Monie would be chosen.But that wasn't her responsibility. None of it was for the

moment, in fact. Coronith would grade their results, and tomorrowmorning, they would—

Ring-ring!A small bell beside the portal rang. Melodika glanced over to it.

It was connected to the front door, which meant they had a visitor.Did Papa and Father forget their keys? Unlikely. Did Harmonia? Alsounlikely, but possible.

The possibility of one of the other townsfolk trying tointerfere with her preparations also crossed her mind, but as sheheaded for the portal, she hoped that they would know better thanto tempt the wrath of Coronith. In any case, Melodika headed intothe lower level's main room, swam to the door, and found the lastmerfolk she expected on the other side as she opened it.

"Coronith," she said, finding the High Cleric waiting for her."Good evening, Melodika," Coronith said, smiling benignly.

"May I come in? There is something I must say before tomorrow."

"S-sure," Melodika said, making room for them to enter."Sorry, we just finished dinner, so I'm a bit—"

"No need for apologies," Coronith said. "Might I getsomething sweet to drink, though? I have had a craving all day."

"We have some sandberry juice left, I think," Melodika said,swimming toward the portal.

"Lovely," Coronith said. "I apologize for imposing.""Not at all!" Melodika said. "Should I go get Harmonia? She's

out back fixing the drain.""No, I think she should stay where she is," Coronith said. "I

know what ears need to hear the words I have to say, and when theyneed to hear them."

"You mean…?""Why don't we get that juice, please, Melodika?" Coronith

said, following her to the portal."Of course," Melodika said, rising back into the kitchen to

retrieve a clean glass. "The grading went well, then?""Your sister must set out from this place to save us, Mel,"

Coronith said, rising up out of the water behind Melodika.Melodika froze mid-reach, her fingers brushing against a

glass."I'm sorry?""As am I," Coronith said, taking a seat at the table. "I am sorry

that I need to tell you this news, but I need you to be ready for whatis coming in the next day. You will not travel with your sistertomorrow. She must find her own path, without you."

Melodika was still facing away from Coronith. She felt herlower jaw trembling as tears welled in her eyes, her handsbeginning to shake as she retrieved the glass and poured the juice."Why are you telling me now?" she said.

"Because if I waited until tomorrow, when everyone wasgathered and with so much fanfare, then the result would be…"

"Mortifying," Melodika said.

"Not the word I had in mind, but true enough," Coronith said,nodding.

Melodika sighed. "You can't bend the rules, can you?" shesaid, bringing Coronith their drink.

"You know the answer to that," Coronith said. "Thank you forthe juice."

"Of course," Melodika said, sitting down opposite the personshe had always viewed as her third parent. "So what will I do?"

Coronith considered this question for a moment, taking aluxurious sip of the juice. "You will still have a part to play in thesea�airs," they said. "An important part. Crucial, even. Perhapslarger than your sister's, when all is tallied. And I believe that youwill be ready when you are called, though you may not expect it."

"When!?" Melodika said, leaning forward.Coronith smiled. "If I could tell you that without ruining

everything, then I would," they said."Yes. Of course," Melodika said, sitting back. "Will I know

what to do in the meantime?""Stay ready. Do not give up hope. Be prepared for whatever

comes next. For today, I needed to share this information with thecorrect ears, and I have," they said, rising from their seat. "Thankyou for the juice."

"I… Can I tell Monie?" Melodika said.Coronith pursed their lips. Melodika could see them mentally

weighing the pros and cons. "I will leave that up to you," they saidat last. "You have sound judgment. There are advantages anddisadvantages both ways, and neither one is wrong. I trust you tomake that decision."

"Right," Melodika said. "Thank you, Coronith."Coronith smiled. "Thank you, Mel. And do not be ashamed to

listen to your emotions. They lead you well."

With that, Coronith dipped out of sight, leaving Melodika inthe kitchen, alone with the dirty dishes, the leftover food, and thebroken drain.

The broken drain that, at the moment, stood open.That opening left a clear channel for sound to pass from the

kitchen to the exterior drain, where Harmonia was now treadingwater, her ear to the outlet, her mind not believing the words sheheard.

All of this resulted in a tremendous amount of nervous energy,which could only have one possible outlet.

Harmonia vomited up a massive glob of lightly-digested cake,seaweed, and fish, which drifted away from her as she watched,disgusted.

"Well, that stomachache's gonna be lighter, at least," she saidto herself.

Please look forward to the next 19* chapters,coming soon**!

*Pending edits adding/removing chapters**Sooner if you share this with all of your friends